EVERETT, FEB. 19: The Everett City Council took next steps in the development of the future Aquasox stadium and heard an update from the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce.
Mayors’ Comments
Mayor Cassie Franklin recognized and thanked city team members and Homelessness Response Coordinator Ben Breeden for their work in facilitating a temporary cold weather shelter during dangerously low temperatures earlier this month.
“He [Breeden] was instrumental in getting an additional cold weather shelter through a partnership with the VOA [Volunteers of America] and Our Lady of Hope Church,” Franklin said.
The mayor also gave an update on the ongoing situation with Hope ‘N Wellness. In September the service center was asked to relocate for violating a city zoning ordinance prohibiting social services to operate on the first floor in downtown Everett.
Hope ‘N Wellness provides resources and a place for those experiencing homelessness or addiction.
The violating ordinance comes from the Metro Everett Plan. The goal of the plan is to create a “more vibrant, urban downtown that is prepared to absorb more density,” Julie Willie, city community development director said during a council meeting on Jan. 8.
Hope ‘N Wellness has been vocal in not wanting to relocate, citing that the location, 3021 Rucker, is affordable and easily accessible for those who use its resources.
Since then, the city and Hope ‘N Wellness owner Jasmine Donahue have been trying to find a viable solution not only for the city but for the service center.
For the last few weeks, residents have taken to the podium to express their support for the service center, calling on officials to keep Hope ‘N Wellness where it is.
The city has been holding strong on its decision despite opposition.
“I want to recognize how important and necessary Hope ‘N Wellness’ services are for our community. As a city we continue to balance that work with the needs and concerns of our businesses and the importance of creating and maintaining a vibrant downtown,” Franklin said.
Hope ‘N Wellness had until Feb. 28 to relocate, but on Wednesday the Mayor extended the deadline to April 30.
Multipurpose Stadium Update
The council voted 6-1 to approve an agreement with construction company Bayley Construction to begin work on the highly anticipated outdoor multipurpose stadium facility.
$200,000 will be allocated to preliminary site and design work. Funds will be taken from the city’s capital improvement fund, according to city project manager Scott Pattison.
This step allows Bayley Construction to begin work as the city continues to work on contract negotiations.
Councilmember Judy Tuohy was the only opposing council member, expressing concerns for clarity on the final costs of the project.
“When we make decisions with taxpayer dollars we owe it to our taxpayers to be thorough and transparent and knowledgeable,” Tuohy said Wednesday. “I personally have a hard time with a ‘just keep spending’ approach without the solid answers.”
To view the full discussion, see here.
City staff said that it is not possible at this time to have accurate projections without moving forward with the design process.
The building of a new stadium comes after Major League Baseball (MLB) changed its requirements for Minor League Baseball (MiLB). The city had been weighing two options and after studies done by Stadium Fiscal Advisory Committee (SFAC), found that a downtown location would be more beneficial.
In December the council voted to build the new site downtown. The project is estimated to cost roughly $117. 5 million according to SFAC.
The funds used for the site would be a mix of Capital Improvement Funds (CIP), state and private funding. CIP funds are restricted and can only be used for permanent capital investments like building a new facility.
By the end of next month, the council will likely address the next step in the project, which involves voting on a contract with the progressive design-build team.
Briefing from The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce
Everett Chamber CEO Wendy Poischbeg and Placemaking Program Manager Tyler Chism gave a brief update on the revived Everett Chamber to the council on Wednesday.
In August 2024 the council voted to allocate $600,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to revive the Everett Chamber. The first Everett Chamber was established in 1892, and in 2011 merged with the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County (EASC).
“The excitement for the Everett Chamber is palpable and I just want to thank you all for your foresight to invest in this,” Chism said, “It’s a universal win and I think it is going to be great for Everett’s economy.”
Poischbeg was brought on as a contractor to lead the formation of the chamber late last year. Poischbeg herself has experience as an entrepreneur and in public and government leadership roles. Before her role with the chamber, she was the CEO of EASC.
Everett business owners advocated for a stand-alone chamber after frustrations with not having their needs met.
Councilmember Ben Zarlingo attended the first chamber event and said “It was a real palpable source of energy. It was clear that the business community was starved for this kind of thing,” he said.
Poischbeg reported that in just one month the chamber has reached 25% of its year-end goal, securing 110 members as of Wednesday, Jan. 12.
By the end of the year, Poischbeg hopes to have 400 members.
One thing that Poischbeg shared was a community need for culturally diverse events and resources.
“Our Hispanic community has come out and what they told me and our formation committee was ‘if you show up for us, we will show up for you’,” Poischbeg said.
The chamber will be providing resources in Spanish and will be working to be more accessible.
The primary source of revenue for the chamber is membership fees. As of now, 44% of their budget is made up of memberships. Grants make up 40% of the chamber’s revenue while events and sponsorships make up 10%.
See their list of networking events here, on their event calendar.
